Antalya, Türkiye | 9 November 2026 – The Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS) participated in five side events on the opening day of COP31. The IOFS delegation was led by H.E. Ambassador Berik Aryn, Director General of IOFS, and included Dr. Memduh Ünal, Director of the Programmes Department, and Dr. Abdelaziz Hajjaji, Programme Manager.
Director General of IOFS addressed the session “Strengthening International Cooperation for Climate-Resilient Food Security” at the Türkiye Pavilion and the session “Northern Aral Sea Restoration” at the Kazakhstan Pavilion.
During the first session, Ambassador Aryn emphasized that climate change is increasingly undermining agricultural productivity, disrupting food supply chains, and placing additional pressure on vulnerable communities, particularly in countries already facing food insecurity, water scarcity, and limited adaptation capacities.
He underlined the importance of translating international commitments into practical cooperation, including climate-resilient agriculture, early warning systems, sustainable water management, institutional capacity development, and improved access to agricultural knowledge and technologies.
Highlighting the role of IOFS as a specialized institution of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Director General stressed the importance of strengthening partnerships among member states and international organizations, including FAO, WFP, WOAH, and other development partners.
At the Kazakhstan Pavilion, Ambassador Aryn highlighted the Aral Sea crisis as one of the most striking examples of the long-term consequences of unsustainable water management, demonstrating how environmental degradation can affect agricultural production, fisheries, public health, local livelihoods, and regional economic development.
He noted that the experience of the Northern Aral Sea offers valuable lessons for OIC member states facing similar challenges related to water scarcity, land degradation, salinization, and the deterioration of agricultural ecosystems.
Dr. Memduh Ünal represented IOFS in two further discussions. At the YÖK Pavilion, the session explored links between agricultural production, nutrition and regional cooperation in building climate-resilient food systems. At the Türkiye Pavilion, he joined a discussion on how Türkiye’s National Water Plan connects water, energy, food and ecosystem priorities.
Dr. Abdelaziz Hajjaji participated in the Türkiye Pavilion session on advancing the Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus for Climate-Resilient Crop Production in Africa, organised by IOFS, ICESCO and COMSATS. The panel examined how decisions on irrigation, energy use and ecosystem protection can help African farming communities sustain crop production under climate pressure.
Through its participation in COP31, IOFS reiterated its commitment to supporting OIC member states in transforming international climate commitments into practical cooperation, institutional partnerships, and measurable improvements in the resilience of food systems.
